Air Products has given a total of $1,581,584 to Drexel over 32 years. Throughout the long-term partnership, Air Products and Drexel University have established a variety of academic and career development programs, especially in the engineering discipline.

For example, the integrated “3-2 Program” is an innovative collaboration between Air Products, Drexel University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) begun in 2007. Upon completion of the program, students receive a bachelor’s degree in their engineering major from SJTU and a master’s degree in global engineering from Drexel. The partnership was the first of its kind to involve a Chinese university, an American university and an international corporation. Students complete three years of education at SJTU and a further two years at Drexel concurrently, including a six-month internship assignment with Air Products.

Another example is the Summer Diversity Program, a two-week intensive scheme, co-sponsored by Air Products, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Approximately 25 women and minority incoming freshmen in the engineering departments learn how math, chemistry and physics are integral parts of engineering. Students apply these concepts in engineering laboratories. They also get to meet professors, department heads, and student organization leaders, learn about the varied engineering opportunities at Drexel and enjoy social activities while experiencing the culture of Philadelphia.

Air Products has been generously supporting the College of Engineering in the Career Services Center, with lab renovations, and scholarship grants. Donations have also been given to other colleges including LeBow College of Business, Westphal College of Media Arts and Design and Goodwin College of Professional Studies.

Air Products has provided an immense number of career opportunities as far back as 1977. Since 1998, the company has had 121 Drexel co-op placements. Air Products has a strong hiring relationship with Drexel as well, and has approximately 400 alumni employed currently. Several of these alumni have earned prestigious senior level positions in their respective departments. To see Drexel alumni currently employed at Air Products, please click here.

Air Products is a Delaware-based company was founded by Leonard Parker Pool in 1940, and specializes in the supply of chemicals and gases. Originally intended for the mid-level consumer, Air Products took its first big step during World War II, where the company designed and manufactured mobile oxygen generators for the US military. From there, Air Products expanded its line in available gases and chemicals, built factories and plants across the world, and merged with more and more companies. Through many successful decades of business, Air Products has become a monolithic industrial gas and chemical company, having provided products and services to domestic and international businesses, the Air Force, and NASA.

Companies like Air Products establish partnerships with Drexel University for several reasons. They see the College of Engineering as a go-to institution for well-trained graduates, research and technical expertise. They also come for our top faculty, who are taking leadership roles in fulfilling President Fry’s vision of building an innovation neighborhood. That being said, every single gift has a major impact on the university. The partnerships formed with companies provide opportunities for quality training through co-ops, funding to further deepen the College’s research, and provide the best education possible through philanthropic support.

Those who have an interest in donating to the College of Engineering or any other school at Drexel University may visit the Make a Gift page by clicking here.